3D Printing Is Changing Construction - Here's What You Need To Know

The construction industry has been through several sea-change-sized challenges over the last few years, from the push to sustainability to supply chain issues. 3D printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing, is revolutionising the construction industry. It was estimated that the worldwide market for 3D printing and services was valued at 12.6 billion US dollars in 2020 and that number is only going up. Using advanced printers, builders can now construct everything from houses to bridges with precision and efficiency. If you’re in construction then you need to have a clear concept of what it is, how it works, and what it can do for you. Here’s an overview of how 3D printing is impacting construction.

How 3D Printing Works in Construction

3D printing creates structures layer-by-layer from the ground up. Construction printers work from a digital 3D model file to lay down successive layers of material like concrete or polymer until the design is complete.

Some printers are mobile and move along tracks as they build walls and other elements. Others remain stationary as a robotic arm moves to extrude materials. Builders may also use multiple smaller 3D printers working in unison.

The technology automates much of the construction process, reducing labour and build times substantially. 3D printing also cuts material waste and enables more complex designs.

Benefits of 3D Printed Structures

3D printing offers many advantages over conventional building methods:

• Faster project timelines - Homes can be printed in days instead of weeks or months
• Lower construction costs with less labour and materials needed
• Minimal waste since materials are only used as required
• Ability to create unique curves, shapes and textures
• Operational efficiency from automated, consistent printing
• Improved safety with less manual work required on-site
• Sustainability benefits from using less concrete and reduced waste

You can expect prices and construction times to continue to go down as the technology continues to improve.

Stay Up To Date With The Latest News

As 3D construction printing gains adoption, new applications and innovations are rapidly emerging. Stay up to date by following industry news sites, construction tech blogs, company announcements and press releases.

Attend industry conferences and events related to 3D printing and construction tech. Follow innovator companies on social media. Subscribe to industry email newsletters and publications.

Monitor trends abroad, where much pioneering 3D construction is happening. Connecting with the community ensures you’re on top of advances and opportunities. If you want to keep up with the latest electronics engineering news, then you need to find a site that can tell you about how 3D printing is changing the game. Electronic Specifier brings you the latest news and expert opinions to make sure that you are never left behind.

Applications In Home Building

3D printing shows great promise for home construction. Entire homes can be printed from foundation to roof, including walls, partitions, overhangs and more. The uncured concrete layers fuse together to form a solid structure.

Home printing is simplified with modular or panelised techniques. 3D-printed wall panels, floors and roof modules are manufactured offsite then trucked and assembled on location.

Printing also enables custom home shapes and layouts tailored to owners. Curving walls, alcoves, built-ins, and other personalised elements are easily achieved.

Use In High Rises And Commercial Buildings

Printing technology has unlocked new potentials for high-rise buildings and unique commercial structures.

The world's first 3D-printed high-rise apartment building containing 50 units was recently completed in Germany. Printing enabled faster construction with lower costs.

Developers are also experimenting with 3D-printed skyscrapers. The designs incorporate complex internal structures like curved cores and lattices that optimise stability and strength.

For commercial projects, printers can rapidly produce building shells, facades, columns, and interior dividing walls onsite. The flexibility enables free-form commercial spaces not feasible with conventional techniques.

Applications In Infrastructure

From roads to railways, 3D printing shows promise for infrastructure projects. The Netherlands has successfully tested printing concrete cycle paths that feature unique patterns and contain built-in sensors. Rail manufacturers are using large 3D printers to print steel sections of new railroads as single pieces. This avoids expensive assembly of individual components.

Bridges, dams, retaining walls and drainage systems can also be constructed via printing. The automated approach could greatly speed up infrastructure repairs and installations.

Use Of New Materials

3D printing allows the use of new sustainable building materials like glass, clay, geopolymers, foamed polymers and bio-based composites. There has been a lot in the news about the UK’s climate policies lately. Whatever the government does, it’s up to everyone to be responsible and 3D printing can make a massive difference.

Recycled materials like fly ash and plastic waste are feedstocks for some printers. Research is ongoing into refining mixtures and developing printing capabilities for these next-gen construction materials.

The possibilities of 3D printing for revolutionising construction are astounding. As costs continue falling, expect additive techniques to become a standard part of the builder’s toolkit. Forward-thinking firms should strategically begin exploring how they can leverage 3D printing and associated technologies to gain a competitive advantage. Follow the latest news to ensure that you’re taking advantage of this game-changing technology.